Not viable to have new ministry for Himalayan affairs: Govt

There is no proposal as of now to create a new ministry for Himalayan affairs as it is "not viable", government said in the Lok Sabha today.
But, at the same time, the Centre is committed to address the issues related to the region, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said.
He was replying to points raised during a discussion on a private member's resolution on 'creation of a new Union Ministry for development of Himalayan states'.
Singh said for the time being there is "no proposal" before the government to create a new ministry on Himalayan states as it is "not viable for the time being".

Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' (BJP), who had moved the resolution last week, later agreed to withdraw it hoping that in the near future the NDA government will set up a new ministry.
Singh said there is no doubt that that the hills have specific and "peculiar" problems.

"The government is committed to address the issue related to the Himalayan states...They are the repository of ethnic and cultural diversity," he said.
He said NDA government's first budget has made allocation of Rs 100 crore for creation of a Himalayan studies national centre.
Earlier, participating in the discussion, S S Ahluwalia (BJP) said the proposed ministry should be named as 'Ministry of Himalayan Region.'

Ashwini Kumar Choubey (BJP) said such a ministry was a must to coordinate during disasters.
Welcoming the resolution, BJP member Prahlad Patel said there should be an integrated approach to ensure development of the Himalayan region.
Another BJP member Anurag Singh Thakur said innovative ideas are needed for sustainable growth.
Congress member M Ramachandran also stressed on the need for having a holistic approach for developing the Himalayan region and added that having a separate ministry would help in ensuring sustainable development.
TRS member Konda Vishweshwar Reddy said there should be special emphasis for hill states that have the potential to become the country's "renewable energy capital".

Vincent Pala (Cong), Satya Pal Singh (BJP)and Vinod Kumar Boianapalli (TRS) also spoke.